Style, handling, 3.3 engine, wonderfully smooth transmission :)

Fuel filler door breaks off if you look at it wrong

I will admit that the Chrysler Corporation has had its problems with these vehicles but they have produced millions of them. I rebuild transmissions for a living and feel that I must tell you in all fairness to Chrysler that we see no higher percentage of these than any other American made minivan. One catastrophic failure that can be avoided has to do with the side gear pin inside the differential ejecting and blowing a hole in the tranaxle housing. I weld this pin in place during every overhaul as a precaution. Because the differential carrier is cast iron, it requires special welding skills. This is the most common failure we see with this transmission. This upgrade can be done in the vehicle. I'll never say that someone should or should not buy a vehicle. When millions of vehicles are produced there will be issues. Personally, I love Chrysler products. Goodluck car shopping.

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92 Voyager,85 Daytona, 91 Spirit, 84 Reliant.....all have been very reliable for me.....must be luck

Head room
gas mileage

I must have gotten lucky, bought mine with just under 70k, (an interesting number after reading some complaints). And not knowing any better pretty much drove the crap out of it now for over 130k. The Transmissions started having problems about 25k ago. And against my machanics advice, I found that I could put up with the Transmission not shifting just by turning my engine off and back on quickly while driveing. It got to be second nature, just like shifting a manual, sometimes it would shift by itself, that was nice when it happened. Well,.... it no longer will no longer shift into high gear which is a great pain, my Break and anti-lock light comes and goes but now its stuck on and I have no power brakes and my water pump leaks. And I thought something was wrong by how often I had brakes and rotors replaced so often. But its good to know that it will cost more than I have to repare it and the neat thing is if I did, it likely wouldn't last anyway. Glad that I have someone to carpool with.

I have loved this Van, Drove it long distanses and had fun and didn't know any better. I love my arm too, But if gang green set in I'd cut it off too. I hope someone nails Crysler for this problem with the tranny's.

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The Caravans are a comfortable riding car with lots of room and good power.

This is a company van. We have purchased Caravans since they have been produced. My boss is a gluten for punishment. We have owed 8 Caravans since 1987. They have ALL had transmission problems, engine problems, door problems, electrical problems ect, ect, ect. About 85K, the tranny blows out. I don't know why my boss keeps buying these P.O.S. vans.
I would never buy a Dodge product, just from my experience with our company vans.

DO NOT BUY A DODGE CARAVAN!!! The reviews I have read seem to agree with me with the exception of a few. I really like the way the car drives and I don't feel beat-up after a long drive. I would buy one of these, if not for the very poor reliablity.

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Transmission failed at 48k, door seal failed multiple times, brake problems, alignment problems, engine leaking oil at multiple points

The Grand Caravan is JUNK! Our transmission completely failed at 48k (cost $1,900 to replace). I was told by a mechanic that Dodge knew there were problems... they were using a WEAK transmission that could not support the weight of the Grand Caravan. Also, our front door seals failed multiple times (replaced 3 x's), brake problems - replaced rotors, drums. Also, alignment problems (every 5k goes out of alignment). Finally, our 3.8l v6 engine leaking oil at multiple points now. I'm disgusted with this van. I've heard that a class-action suit may be brought against Dodge/Chrylser for transmissions failing (many with in 50k) and other problems. Does anyone know about where this class action suit is starting???

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TRANSMISSION!

My complaints are no different than those already expressed in the reviews on this web site - the transmission failed at 60K. My sister had a Caravan - transmission failed at around 60K. My nephew had a Caravan - transmission failed. (yes, we're a family of slow learners). A co-worker had a transmission problem, er, I mean a Caravan. In fact, (this just occured to me while I was writing this review), every person I know who has owned a Caravan has had the transmission replaced. Consumers should be protected from this sort of thing, i.e., nowadays, it's reasonable to expect a transmission to last 200,000K. BOTTOMLINE: NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT - NEVER!!!

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We've owned 7 different vehicles - this is by far the biggest piece of junk!!

Visibility and Styling

Transmission from hell on my second one. It's been in for repairs 10 times last year alone.

Let's see where to begin . First transmission went out at 37k miles. Should have gotten rid of this piece of crap then. But stupid me let the waranty take care of it and then at 85k miles another transmission and $1,500. The dealer looks at me as if i'm crazy for being angry about transmission that don't hold up past 30 or 40,000 miles. From Sept of last all the way through to februay of this year it has been back in the shop for more transmission repairs. Recently the clock spring went out. The rear
main oil seal is needing to be replaced at another $1000.00 The van is so unreliable that we only use it for the weekends. Our main mode of transportation is a 92 Pontiac Grand Am with over 180,000 miles . Has never given us any major problems. How does Dodge get around liability for manufacturing such a poor product.

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To my pontiac not even close in terms of performance or gas mileage.

3.8 V6 very powerful good acceleration smooth shifting transmission very comfortable great rear captain chairs awesome handling great abs specially on rain soaked surfaces dual a/c very good on warm california days great Infinity Sound System like those crossed armed wipers there cool dual sliding doors power everything fully loaded has all service records previous owner serviced at all intervals and that traction control works great in rain

none except had water pump replaced becasue of clicking noise

So far it hasnt given me a reason to think bad of it I recommend it to everyone it has great power if you have the 3.8 V6 my parents love it too Im just 17 right now and I think its great if I ever need to by a minivan my self Ill problably go for the Dodge Grand Caravan the only thing I would change is I would go for The All Wheel Drive Version because we go camping alot and I bet the AWD would be even better.

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compared to a 1989 grand voyager it is way better this 1997 is a great van

The only strengths that I can determine from this vehicle is that the outer body looks stylish.

Front headlights don't illuminate the road even on high beam.
Sliding door locks were a constant problem.
Front disc brakes wear out WAY to quickly. This vehicle is very hard on front disc brake pads.
The emission controls on this vehicle are the pits. I had to replace two seperate emission control parts underneath the hood and when I got rid of the vehicle, the codes that you read by turning the car on and off three times quickly with the key were telling me that the Oxygen sensor was going bad, but I couldn't tell if it was the upper Oxygen sensor on the exhaust manifold or the one posterior to the catalytic converter.
Also the air bag light was on constantly even though I had not had a wreck,and the service engine soon light was going on and off constantly as well.

All in all I would have to say that I will never buy another Dodge. I have owned two GM vehicles, one Ford, two Japanese vehicles, and none of these have ever given me any problems like the 96 Dodge Grand Caravan.
Dodge reminds me of the British Cars from the 1950's, 60's, and 70's, the body design was GREAT! but the engineering sucked! If you buy a Dodge Grand Caravan, don't say you were warned!!!!

What ever you do, DO NOT buy a Dodge. I would go with a Ford. As a matter of fact, I traded my Dodge for a FORD Expedition 2000, and am delighted with the FORD vehicle. NO PROBLEMS!

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Fairly roomy, little to no rust after 6 years, good gas mileage.

Top of the list would have to be the transmission. Since we bought this van (brand new) the transmission has been repaired, repaired again, rebuilt and in need of rebuilding again. Little things fall apart, rubber strips come loose, plastic pieces just fall off everywhere. Heater and A/C good in the first two years. Tried everything to get heat/cold out of them now, yet told there's nothing wrong with them.

Will never buy another Dodge product again. Not just because of the costly and continual problems we've experienced with our Caravan but because of the many problems we've experienced trying to rectify the problems.
In reading the above reviews, I've come to the conclusion we're not alone.

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Going back to GMC. Never had problems. Left because Caravan offered what our family needed. Wasn't worth the repairs though. Astro/Safari next.

Great family car, very comfortable and spacoius. Offers great options. No problems with transmition, electronics, or motor.

Pant came off in car wash. front tires wear quickly due to front wheel drive.

No serouis problems, deffinately a keeper

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GMC Siffari is better. Had way too many problems with transmition and gas pump/line. Is by far the best Mini van offered.